October 20, 2017

PHOENIX, AZ (Oct. 20, 2017) -- SWEEP applauds Arizona for joining seven other states in the region to encourage adoption and use of electric vehicles (EVs). The Memorandum of Understanding, signed also by the governors of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, calls for the states to cooperate in developing locations to recharge electric vehicles along more than 5,000 miles of interstate highways throughout the Southwest and Rocky Mountains.

The initial agreement said states would lay the groundwork for creating EV charging corridors on east-west Interstates 10, 40, 70, 76, 80, 84, 86, 90 and 94, and north-south Interstates 15 and 25. Now, with Arizona’s participation, the network also will include Interstates 8, 17 and 19, as well as Arizona’s portions of I-40 and I-15.

“By joining this important state coalition, Arizona ensures that in the foreseeable future, electric car drivers won’t need to worry about running out of power, but instead will be able to recharge their vehicles whether they’re traveling from Cheyenne to Reno, or Tucson to Billings,” said Mike Salisbury, senior associate with SWEEP’s transportation program.

As SWEEP and other conservation groups noted when the original seven states announce the plan on Oct. 4, the pact addresses two of the biggest challenges that have been barriers to widespread adoption of EVs: lack of fast-charging locations along highways that would enable long-distance travel, and the fact that auto manufacturers have sold fewer of their EV models in the West than elsewhere.

“New technologies are changing how we live every day, and it’s important we keep up,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “In Arizona, we want to continue to welcome innovation with open arms. By working with other western states to establish this corridor, we can help ensure Arizona is at the forefront.”

“We’re excited that Arizona has joined other states in the region to advance vehicle electrification, which will help clean up air pollution and improve public health in all participating eight states,” Salisbury said.